The history of Dark Lord and Isabella...their sweet little fling in the game is hard not to notice.
Seiken Densetsu aka Final Fantasy Adventure...the first game circa 1991, we see Dark Lord for the first time, video game technology wasn't the greatest back then so he was not very detailed in the game. He had the black cape and feathers from his head...but it was more like a battle helmet. And there is no red head beauty here.
Secret of Mana, the game that FFA was the pilot of..(The Japanese weren't sure we would buy the Seiken line so they named the first game Final Fantasy because it was big hit in America then) In Secret we see nothing that we have ever seen before..if you've never played Secret..go to the local used game shop and get a copy, it's worth it.
Secret of Mana 3 aka Seiken Densetsu 3, was released in Japan, you will never see an English version of it except on an emulator. The Japanese decided against releasing it in America, they gave us "Secret of Evermore" instead, but it was a flop, the game wasn't the greatest and we were all still busy trying to figure out "Chronotrigger". In SD3 we meet General Isabella..aka Bigiue, a villainess woman, she looks just like she does in sword but she is more human in appearance. She is in love with the Dark Prince, if you can get a glimpse of his game sprite....hmmm he looks familiar. Bigiue's prince looks exactly like Dark Lord, same military outfit but his mask with feathers is worn like a crown, and his hair looks blonde. Bigiue loves him and takes her life for him but he seems not to care. In her boss battle she turns into the same cat as she does in sword.
Legend of mana....we see neither character.
2003 Square Enix takes the first game "Final Fantasy Adventure" give it a major facelift and tada!!!!! you have Sword of Mana. Dark Lord is back...Isabella is cleverly thrown into the mix. You know the rest, BUT, once again the poor woman loses her love..Square Enix ...what is up with that???
On with the Story:
Her breath quickened, she was ready for a fight. He was coming for her with his broad sword and she was ready to defend herself to the death. But, she paused.
"Wait a minute" she thought. "He sure seems familiar".
Although she did not recognize this man she was sure that she had crossed his path before. But where? He seemed human but something inside of him seemed not so human as well. But what? As they approached each other in an enguard stance, they both paused. It was as if he felt the same way too. He too recognized her from somewhere, he was impressed with her courage.
"Not bad, considering you're human" she said in a sarcastic tone. She wasn't sure if he was human or not, she hoped by throwing the comment in his face he might respond.
The man replied in a low but calm voice. "And I have a feeling...you're not human. Are you Mavole?"
She was taken a back. "I am indeed, I haven't sensed an aura like yours in this world since the 3 Gemma knights." she said, once again she prodding him for information.
"The three Gemma Knights?" he said crossly. "Don't compare me with those old timers"
Isabella thought to herself. I definitely know this man from somewhere. I have to find out more about him. She mustered up her charm. Isabella was that kind of woman who had the looks and abilities to hook any man she wanted, and she knew it. As much as she hated using her body to get her way, it always worked, except with Lee. But she came to this world for fun and adventure and she wasn't about to pass up this opportunity. This man was obviously someone of great power and importance and could suit her well. Was this the "Dark Lord" Lee spoke of? The man Lee described as "Dark Lord" was a gentle young soul, shy and polite. He said something terrible happened to him years ago that drove him to rage. Could this be him? She cracked her little flirty smile and swished her long hair aside.
"I'm looking for a strong man, I was so excited about coming to this world, Medusa, Lee, The greatest Mavoles all ended up here. How dull Mavolia became without them. You're Dark Lord right? Feel like trying to control me?" she took a chance.
"Control? You? Funny way to flirt." He didn't seem impressed but he was lowering his guard.
"Yeah that's right. Go ahead, control me, become king and make me kneel before you." she knelt down before him and bowed her head.
Dark Lord thought to himself for a second. I know her. And appears that the rumours where true, beautiful but loose..... might as well. Not quite what he had in mind, but it would be nice to finally have female company. He was still crushed by his rejection from Purim.
"You're Isabella, eh? Strange creature. But, if that is what you wish I'll oblige. Come with me Isabella."
He held out his hand and she arose. They walked together to the ship.
"So what brings you out here all alone in the night." he said trying to make conversation.
"I am not sure yet" she replied. "I am going wherever life takes me"
"Interesting" he said in a confused tone.
"I realize it sounds odd but I am not familiar with this world, all I hear are stories, some good some bad, and I am here to find out this world for myself. If I like what, or maybe who I find here, perhaps I will stay." she spoke with confidence but inside she wasn't sure yet. And she was walking with someone who was described as the worlds most dangerous man. It was exciting and frightening for her all at once.
They approach the airship and Dark Lord commanded his troops.
"Break time is over! Get back to your posts and prepare to take off."
"This way milady" Dark Lord pointed the way to Isabella.
The inside of the ship was like nothing she had ever seen before. It was organized for military purposes but it also looked incomplete. It appeared at one time or another someone was in the process of remodeling the interior, some areas seemed a bit too fancy and decorated to be simply a warship. Dark Lord leaded his new companion to a large common area in the middle of the ship.
"Isabella, I have affairs to attend to, wait here until I return." Dark Lord nodded and turned around to leave the room.
Isabella swallowed. Now what, she thought. She could hear soldiers chattering in the next room, they spoke of a heretic girl and the idea that a boy who escaped from Granz castle was plotting to kill Dark Lord. She turned slowly in a circle, bobbing her head in approval as she examined her surroundings, and then she stopped. A man with long, dark red hair and white skin sat in a chair. He looked at her with huge sparkling eyes and a sarcastic grin. He got up from his chair and closed the book he was writing in. Slowly he approached her. He was no taller than she and his manner of dress was somewhat similar. He stood before her still grinning and stared her right in the eyes. Isabella began to feel uncomfortable with his examining her.
"Bigiue" he said with a smile.
Isabella's heart burned at the one word he spoke. Now she was scared. She held herself as firm as she could. She was on her own with this challenge. He called her "Bigiue". The name sounded familiar but she didn't understand why it did or why he called her such a thing.
"I am Isabella" she said calmly.
"Sure you are" the man said. "No one ever dies sweet child, we simply pass on to the next life."
"I don't understand" she replied as she stared at the floor while he slowly walked around her.
"Someday, you will find out."
"And you are?" she asked.
"Julius, the right hand man of Dark Lord."
"A strong and powerful man like Dark Lord need an assistant?"
"My Lady, Dark Lord is a busy man you would be best to leave this place as soon as we land again." Julius' spoke in a low calmly voice that did not fit his youthful appearance.
"Wait a min..." she said but he interrupted.
"Dark Lord does not need a woman, especially a little trollop like you distracting him right now, he has, shall we say, more important things on his mind right now."
"Who are you to tell me to leave, Dark Lord invited me to come along with him" she said sternly.
"I am afraid Dark Lord doesn't always know what is good for him, that is where I come in." Julius turned away and stared out a small round window as he spoke.
"You are not human are you Mr. Julius?" said Isabella in a probing matter. He looked up but did not turn around and look at her. Dark Lord entered the room.
"I see you two met" Dark Lord said.
"Yes" replied Isabella with a frustrated smile. "We sure did."
"Is there a problem?"
"Not at all" she said shaking her head.
"Julius"
"Sir, If I may say so, the last thing we need around here is another trouble making woman following us around." Julius still stared at the window, his hands held behind his back.
"Dark Lord, perhaps we could go somewhere more private to chat." Isabella asked politely but she watched Julius to see his reaction to her request.
"Indeed" he said."Come with me, we can go to my private quarters to talk."
Not a word was said as she followed him to his room, he walked fast, as if there was some urgency.
They entered the room and stopped in the middle, right away he had something to say. Little did they know, they were being watched.
"Isabella you mentioned my mother's name earlier, Do you know her?"
"Your mother? Do you mean Medusa? Oh now I get it, you must be half human and half Mavole."
"The curse of people who say her name, did you know about it when you said it aloud?"
"Don't worry, I am not human so curses don't work on me. So you really did want to help her?"
"Of course I did! Even if I had to kill all those who said her name. But the more gossip spread and people mentioned her name what could I do?"
"Give it up. It's an old Mavole law from the distant past, the fate of those who bond with humans, she knew that when she bonded with Granz."
"If I had Mana power, I might have been able to save her."
"I don't want to hear anymore whining from you"
A loud banging noise came from the door, they both were startled.
"Enter, what is the problem?"
A large soldier came in and informed him the news.
"The girl has escaped."
"What? How did she get out of the room?"
"Julius said there must have been a clue"
"Marley's gone too? Doing things his own way again? Call Julius!"
"Well sir, he is holed up in his room"
"Errrrgh, Ill go myself!"
Dark Lord left the room, once again leaving Isabella alone. A noise came from the wardrobe door behind her. She turned around and a familiar young girl stepped out of the closet.
"Hmmm..Aren't you, yes Purim wasn't it? My it's been awhile and here you are coming out of the closet."
"Isabella! Why are you with Dark Lord?"
"I am a Mavole, we don't like to waste our magic power, seeking stronger rulers is in our blood."
"Then does that make you my enemy?"
"This world's trouble are not my concern, I've merely become interested in this man called Dark Lord."
"I got to save Marley, I have to go."
"Ah so you are the heretic girl they were talking about, But, do you intend to face Dark Lord? It won't be easy."
"I won't have others sacrificed for my sake anymore."
"You are a strong one"
"Strong? Me? If I were strong no one would die"
"You and Dark Lord, maybe the human world isn't so bad after all."
Purim left the room.
"Such a sweet girl." Isabella thought.
Minutes passed like hours, there was nothing for her to do except wait. She lie down on the bed and put her head in her hands. She listened carefully to the sounds on the ship. Mostly the sounds of soldiers chatting and walking about the floors and hallways, going about their business. At one point she thought she heard glass breaking and perhaps a woman's voice shouting or crying in pain. But she wasn't sure, the walls were to thick to hear it clearly. She closed her eyes and dozed off into a dreamlike state but was still aware and conscience of her surroundings. An image filled her mind. It was like a dream but it was so clear and vivid it was as if she was really there. She saw a bedroom, very fancy and decorated with red and blue. A beautiful female Mavole with pink hair cascading about her weakened sickly body sat up in the bed. She was smiling despite her illness. Isabella saw herself there, she approached the bed and sat down beside the woman and a baby was put in her arms. A tiny newborn with pale skin and blackish green fuzzy hair, swaddled in a blanket. She examined the child, it was deformed in some way she could not describe. Its eyes and ears were not right. Isabella's own sensitive ears perked up and heard the voices of doctors and priests in the hallway outside pleading with the child's father to let the baby die. She clutched the baby close to her, and thought "how could they!!?"
The door open and a man came in, startling Isabella. She snapped out of her dream. Dark Lord closed and locked the door behind him, looked at her and felt that something was wrong.
"What is it?" he asked.
Isabella paused. Should she tell him?
"I remember you."
"What?"
"Prince Stroud, the last time I saw you, you were a tiny baby, I held you in my arms."
Stroud sighed, and sat down beside her.
"I'm sorry" he said quietly "this is really awkward for me"
"And for me. I understand. It is rather awkward, I mean, I meant to seduce you so that I could stay here. But I was your mother's friend and I am, well, quite a bit your elder. And I know why you wear the mask"
Stroud shook his head.
"I would imagine so, if you have already seen my face"
"So, will you take it off then?"
Stroud did not answer.
"Here now" she said. She moved closer to him and placed her hands on his shoulders. Stroud looked at her through his mask. She smelled lovely, like pachouli and other magically potions that women bath themselves in. And she looked so young, but goddess no she was not. She was at least 200 years, if not more, of his years. He wanted her but he was also repulsed by her, this was not right.
"Stop" he demanded in a whisper.
Isabella dropped her hands. Suddenly a loud noise came from below decks.
"What was that?" she panicked.
"I don't know, stay calm already" he said. "Let's go, quickly now"
They went outside the room and ran down the hall. Soldiers scurried about in urgency.
"THE REACTOR HAS BEEN DESTROYED!!! WE ARE GOING TO CRASH!!!!"
"What do we do?"
"Julius!!!!! JULIUS!!!!!"
Julius appeared.
"What's the matter? You all afraid to die? Julius said.
"We don't have time for this you idiot!" Stroud shouted.
"Where is your faith?" Julius said. "Close your eyes"
Julius cast a spell, a protective barrier surrounded the trio as they re-appeared safely on the ground. Isabella looked about the land. The terrain was dry and muted green. The trees were dead and a few cactus plants here and there.
"Where are we?"
"Menos outskirts by the looks of it."
"Julius?"
"We should be heading back to Granz castle now my lord" said Julius.
"The crew is all dead, my ship is destroyed, this is all YOUR fault you know!" said Stroud angrily."You just had to have that girl!"
"And you just had to try to f..ck her." Julius bickered. "I told you women are a waste of time"
"Don't speak to me that way, she is gone and so is this pendant you wanted."
"It matters not! The pendant merely slipped through my fingers, it will turn up again soon. It's owner will place it right in my hands. And YOU Stroud had better start to learn to put a lid on your emotions. Now let's be off for the castle."
"Don't tell me what to do!" Stroud retorted. "Forget it. I am heading for Jadd. Go to the castle if you wish, I'm going my own way from here!"
Julius' lips trembled as he tried to think of a comeback. Stroud stormed off down the path and didn't look back.
"STROUD!!!!!!"
Julius shouted and his voice echoed in the valley surrounding them. Stroud never turned he just kept walking.
Isabella watched him go, then she looked to Julius' angry face. No way.
Isabella ran down the path trying to catch up to Stroud.
"My Lord!! My Lord!! Wait, please, wait for me."
"What do you want?" he said. "Go back, there's nothing for you out here."
"No" "No, please." she said with tears forming in her eyes. I want to go with you."
"Isabella" he sighed. "Very well, come with me."
To be continued...............
